Culture Shock Switzerland (Culture Shock! Country Guides)

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely disappointing
Review: As other revierws mention, this book is not an explanation of Swiss culture but rather an autobiography of the author. This is very disappointing, because I've read other culture shock books which were a thousand times better.

Then, this book is completely outdated because of the things she is talking of (company names change over time!). She mentiones that the PTT have been split into the Post and Swisscom, however "PTT" is seen all over the book. Why not just say "the post office"?

Since the author lived in French part of Switzerland, the focus is only on this and not on the bigger German part. The translation of some words are just plain wrong. She says the butchers shop is a "Fleischerladen". This is completely wrong, in Switzerland you will never find this word. It's called "Metzgerei".

I'm from Switzerland and before offering this book as a gift I had to read it. But it's useless. Another book might be much better. Still looking around.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely disappointing
Review: I won't mince words: This book is AWFUL! Hoping to find the Swiss equivalent to the excellent "Culture Shock! France" edition, I was extremely disappointed. The France book does exactly what it should, it gives some helpful clues to getting along with the French and understanding their reasoning, so that your interactions with them, both business and personal, will go smoothly, without cultural differences causing unnecessary conflict.

The Swiss edition is terrible. Rather than offer helpful, insider tips to the Swiss mind, the author gives you an autobiographical account of her first year of life in Switzerland. If you picked up this book, it's because you're curious about the culture and lifestyle of the Swiss, including how to get along with them, and how to think like a Swiss. Unfortunately, the author herself is a NOVICE to Switzerland and its people, making her as ignorant about the country as the average Joe! Sure, through time she may pick up on a few things about her neighbors and her butcher, but it's not likely, as her outward focus usually falls on her family and their experiences. Use the photos included in the book as an example: My husband unpacking our things in our new apartment. My mother and father taking bottles to the recycling center. Sadly, this shows how little interaction the author had with the Swiss, therefore making her unqualified to write this book!

But, let's not discredit the author entirely. She was only writing what she knew about (which wasn't much). The Culture Shock editors should be ashamed of themselves for not selecting a more qualified writer who would follow the standards of the rest of the series.

THIS BOOK WOULD BE A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!

Rating:
Summary: Author: This is supposed to be about SWITZERLAND, not you!
Review: I won't mince words: This book is AWFUL! Hoping to find the Swiss equivalent to the excellent "Culture Shock! France" edition, I was extremely disappointed. The France book does exactly what it should, it gives some helpful clues to getting along with the French and understanding their reasoning, so that your interactions with them, both business and personal, will go smoothly, without cultural differences causing unnecessary conflict.

The Swiss edition is terrible. Rather than offer helpful, insider tips to the Swiss mind, the author gives you an autobiographical account of her first year of life in Switzerland. If you picked up this book, it's because you're curious about the culture and lifestyle of the Swiss, including how to get along with them, and how to think like a Swiss. Unfortunately, the author herself is a NOVICE to Switzerland and its people, making her as ignorant about the country as the average Joe! Sure, through time she may pick up on a few things about her neighbors and her butcher, but it's not likely, as her outward focus usually falls on her family and their experiences. Use the photos included in the book as an example: My husband unpacking our things in our new apartment. My mother and father taking bottles to the recycling center. Sadly, this shows how little interaction the author had with the Swiss, therefore making her unqualified to write this book!

But, let's not discredit the author entirely. She was only writing what she knew about (which wasn't much). The Culture Shock editors should be ashamed of themselves for not selecting a more qualified writer who would follow the standards of the rest of the series.

THIS BOOK WOULD BE A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!

Rating:
Summary: Only for the complete novice
Review: If you have any experience with Switzerland, or even Europe; you will learn precious little from this book. There are better books to buy on the subject.